The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) wants federal regulators to stop Sony Bank from getting a special license to run crypto services. The banking group sent a letter to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) last week, asking them to reject Sony's application.
Sony Bank wants to create a new company called Connectia Trust that would issue digital coins tied to the U.S. dollar and store crypto assets for customers. But community banks say this plan breaks federal banking rules and could hurt consumers.
Sony’s Digital Banking Plan
Sony Bank filed paperwork on October 6 to start Connectia Trust as a national trust bank. The OCC application shows the company would operate from 25 Madison Avenue in New York and focus on three main services:
Creating stablecoins backed one-to-one by U.S. dollars
Storing digital assets safely for customers
Managing crypto investments for Sony companies
Sony joins other major firms like Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple trying to get similar federal licenses. These applications come after President Trump signed the GENIUS Act in July, which created the first federal rules for stablecoins.
Banking Groups Push Back Hard
The ICBA letter calls Sony’s plan “an impermissible reinterpretation” of federal law. Mickey Marshall, the group’s regulatory counsel, wrote that Sony wants “the benefits of a U.S. bank charter without becoming subject to the full scope of U.S. bank regulations.”
Community bankers worry that Sony’s stablecoins would work like bank deposits but avoid important protections. Regular bank deposits have federal insurance and banks must reinvest in local communities. Sony’s digital coins would skip both requirements.
The ICBA also questions Sony Group Corporation’s roughly 20% stake in Sony Financial Group, which is Connectia’s parent company. They want the OCC to investigate if this creates controlling influence that might trigger additional banking rules.
Safety Concerns About Crypto Banking
Banking groups point to serious risks if Connectia Trust fails. The OCC hasn’t handled a failed uninsured national bank since 1933. Managing a crypto company collapse would be much harder than traditional bank failures.
If customers rush to cash out their digital coins, Connectia might need to sell Treasury bonds quickly. This could create bigger problems in financial markets. The ICBA warns that “a single failure in key reassembly or system migration could result in permanent loss of access to billions in customer assets.”
The banking group also complains that Sony’s public application leaves out key details. It doesn’t explain how reserves would work during a crisis or what would happen if hackers attack the system.
Wider Battle Over Crypto Banking
Sony’s application is part of a bigger fight between traditional banks and crypto companies. The stablecoin market has grown to over $311 billion, making it an attractive business opportunity.
In early November, the ICBA also asked the OCC to reject Coinbase’s similar application. The banking group has filed complaints against several crypto firms seeking federal charters.
But crypto companies fight back. Coinbase’s chief lawyer accused banking lobbyists of “trying to dig regulatory moats” to protect their own business instead of helping consumers.
Major banks have also joined the opposition. In September, three banking trade groups representing $234 trillion in assets asked regulators to limit crypto custody to traditional banks only. Critics say this looks like regulatory capture, where established companies use rules to block new competitors.
What Happens Next
The OCC could take 12 to 18 months to review Sony’s application. Public comments from groups like the ICBA might slow down the process even more.
The Federal Reserve ended its special crypto oversight program in August, moving digital asset supervision back to normal banking processes. This suggests regulators now see crypto activities as regular banking business.
But the banking industry’s organized opposition shows they’re not ready to give up market share to tech companies. The outcome of Sony’s application will help decide whether crypto firms can compete fairly with traditional banks or face barriers designed to protect established players.
The Digital Crossroads
Sony’s battle for a crypto banking license represents more than one company’s business plan. It’s a test of whether the U.S. financial system will embrace innovation or protect existing banks from new competition. The decision could shape how Americans access digital financial services for years to come.
